Skip to main content

News story

February 28, 2022

Effects of Covid-19 on inheritance tax

Private Client solicitor, James McMullan, takes a closer look at the effects of covid-19 on inheritance-tax and estate planning.

There is still much uncertainty about the true impact of the coronavirus on all aspects of our lives. Inheritance tax is no different. With the fallout of the pandemic affecting the value of estates, inheritance tax planning, and the valuation of business assets inheritance tax has been affected both directly and indirectly.

Will inheritance tax rise to cover Covid-19 costs?

According to the National Audit Office, the government has spent more than £372 billion on supportive measures related to the pandemic. As a result, the Chancellor must implement measures to offset this expenditure. But will this cause a rise in inheritance tax? The answer is complicated. While the rate of inheritance tax and the thresholds for liability will remain the same, the number of estates liable to pay inheritance tax is increasing.

In January 2022, new statistics from HMRC revealed that £4.6bn in inheritance tax was paid to the Government between April and December. That represents a £600m increase compared to the same period in 2020. But why?

Increased value of estates

Currently, inheritance tax is charged on the part of the deceased’s estate that is above £325,000 at a rate of 40%. However, the UK’s housing crisis and soaring property prices mean more people than ever are liable to inheritance tax charges.

Lack of inheritance tax planning

The increased value of estates impacts people from all walks of life. Many people who would have never expected the value of their property or other assets to exceed the inheritance tax threshold are failing to properly plan for inheritance tax and take steps to mitigate their bill.

Similarly, the pandemic has sadly caused thousands of sudden deaths. Many people may never have even considered estate planning because they were previously in good health.

How to mitigate your inheritance tax bill

But there is some good news when it comes to inheritance tax. With proper estate planning and a properly drafted will, you can take steps to mitigate your inheritance tax liability dramatically. For example, when you leave your home to a descendant in your will, the threshold is increased by £175,000. That is a huge potential tax saving.

If you want to know more about the effects of Covid-19 on inheritance tax, call James McMullan, an experienced estate planning solicitor, today.

Note: This article is not legal advice; it provides information of general interest about current legal issues.

Stay in touch

Subscribe to our newsletter

Stay in touch

By completing your details and submitting this form you confirm you are happy for us to send you marketing communications and that you agree to our Website Privacy Policy and Legal Notice and to us using Mailchimp to process your data.


Sending

News/Insight

  • Strategic lifetime gifting
    How to minimise your IHT liability during your lifetime.


    Read more
  • Navigating directors’ duties
    Legal responsibilities and risks for UK company directors


    Read more
  • Preparing a business-lasting power of attorney
    In this article, private client solicitor Herman Cheung of West End law firm RIAA Barker Gillette (UK) considers the advantages, needs and practical examples of creating a bu


    Read more
  • Can you make a WhatsApp will?
    Key legal requirements and future outlook.


    Read more
  • Supporting neurodiverse people in family law matters
    Understanding neurodiversity in the legal context.


    Read more

What they say...

  • Michael, May 2025
    “Very pleased with the services provided by Charlotte Barbaroussis. Particularly found her quick and effective to reply to any queries.”

  • Malcolm & Sheila Blackmore, May 2025
    “My wife and I engaged RIAA Barker Gillette to prepare our wills and LPOA’s. James McMullan and Charlotte Barbaroussis were the epitome of professionalism – responding quickly, talking us through the legalese, clearly answering any

  • Ian, April 2025
    “Martin and his team at Barker Gillette acted for us in our purchase and sale of property. The chain was lengthy and elements of the work became complex. Martin was tenacious and resolved to answer our queries as they arose. He handled all aspe

  • Henry, April 2025
    “We have purchased flats before with 2 different solicitors who were unable to help us this time. Martin came highly recommended and are we glad. He was very professional in every way: knowledgeable, approachable, he has a friendly manner, very

  • Megan Purcell-Jones, April 2025
    “Charlotte was extremely diligent and thorough. She talked us through the process of making our wills and listened to and understood our needs and the complexities involved. Extremely patient and very clear.”

Read more
Send this to a friend